Kelly Mou is graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in theater and performance studies. She moved to the U.S. in sixth grade, facing language barriers and a fear of public speaking. At Berkeley, she found her voice and even started a theater company.
Finding a Voice Through Drama
As a child, Kelly moved often between Shanghai and California. This made it hard to keep friends. She found comfort in a Chinese film series called Tiny Times. The characters were bold and adventurous, and watching them made her feel vibrant. She wanted to give that feeling to others.
In 2015, Kelly moved to the U.S. permanently in sixth grade. She felt anxious about speaking English, especially because classmates pointed out her accent. Communication became very difficult, and she even developed a speech impediment.
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Start Your News DetoxDespite her fear, Kelly was drawn to challenges. She decided to take an introductory drama class. She found that nothing challenged her as much as acting. In the class, she performed monologues and even played Juliet in a satirical version of Romeo and Juliet. It was fun, but her anxiety was still intense, leading her to take a break from acting.
Overcoming Stage Fright at Berkeley
When Kelly started at UC Berkeley, she planned to major in English but decided to try another acting class. During her first semester, she helped a friend with a short film. Her anxiety caused her speech to become very rapid, which embarrassed her. She spoke to her acting instructor, Patrick Russell, who suggested a voice and speech class with Jessica Berman Hirigoyen.
This class helped Kelly feel more comfortable performing. She learned breathing techniques to release her natural voice and stay connected to her body.
After her first year, Kelly co-founded the Untitled Theater Company with a classmate. This student-run group focuses on strong acting with minimal set design. Their first show in 2023 featured excerpts from Shakespeare plays. They continued to put on new shows each semester, including a modern adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. The company will be passed on to other Berkeley students after Kelly graduates.
Kelly still feels nervous about acting sometimes. However, she loves bringing characters to life and making them feel real. She knows acting will always challenge her.
Kelly doesn't plan her life far in advance. She sees herself as a risk-taker and is excited to see what happens next after graduation.
